Food Packaging

Requires:

Physical protection - shock, vibration, compression, temperature, etc.
Barrier protection - oxygen, water vapour, dust, etc.
Durable - doesn’t break easily.

Aluminium:

Type of metal

Advantages

can be combined with small amounts of other metals to form alloys
can vary in strength
excellent barrier (keeps out air, light and microorganisms)
light weight
corrosion resistant
recyclable
foil can be sandwiched betweenplastic layers (improve durability)

Disadvantages

can’t see contents
acidic foods can end up tasting of aluminium
foil can have holes poked in it easily
non-microwavable
cans can be difficult to open without a can opener
expensive

Used in:

-aluminium cans
-aluminium foil
-juice boxes

Steel:

Type of metal

Advantages

durable
insulated

Disadvantages

corrosion
can’t see contents
non-microwavable
expensive

Used in:

-steel water bottles
-containers

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET):

Type of plastic

Advantages

strong gas and moisture barrier
doesn’t shatter
light weight
recyclable
microwave proof

Disadvantages

bottles shrink when exposed to high temperatures when empty .
taste problems (bottles)
chemicals have been known to leach into the contents when left for a prolonged period of time

Used in:

-Plastic bottles
-Plastic containers

Glass:

Advantages

inert
can’t see contents
no odour
reusable
microwave proof

Disadvantages

shatters
expensive
defects can occur in production
weaknesses can occur in production

Used in:
-Glass containers
-Glass bottles

Useful links for more elaborative information on:

Food packaging:
http://www.nrdc.org/living/shoppingwise/food-storage-containers.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_packaging

Metal:
http://www.world-aluminium.org/About+Aluminium/Benefits
http://www.ehow.com/list_7601569_disadvantages-metal-packaging.html
http://shelflifeadvice.com/content/what-are-some-advantages-and-disadvantages-aluminum-foil
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=xZ_SGH3B1gwC&pg=PA351&lpg=PA351&dq=aluminum+food+packaging+disadvantages&source=bl&ots=ViNGr9N4EC&sig=deK5Wh3iHKHZES5laTdbUv7GItQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9hkqT5utBuyciAeOtrS8Dg&ved=0CGsQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=aluminum%20food%20packaging%20disadvantages&f=false

Plastics:
http://www.ehow.com/info_8559486_advantages-polyethylene-terephthalate.html
http://www.packagingconsultancy.com/polyethylene-terephthlate-water-bottles.html

Glass:
http://www.ucc.ie/fcis/PKglass.htm